Gaff tutorial?

[crashlann]

Preparing for the season, can anyone drop some advice on properly gaffing gamefish like Yellows, Dorado etc.. I know to aim for the head, but should the hook go over the head, or under? Jerk it at the head, or steady pull? Bring it on.

[ConSeaMate]

Jerking the head is what I do..................

[MacAttack]

There's a surpirse.

[Marcus]

You'll find a lot of different techniques from people. It depends on how close to the boat the fish is for me. If it is away from the boat and I have to stretch out for it I go over the fish, and then drag the gaff into the fish. If you try to go under and lift up on the fish on a reach you run a risk of the fish coming off (from my experience).

If it is next to the boat I like to try to get duner the fish and then do a straight lift into the boat.

Different fish react differently when gaffed. Yellowtail are pretty easy to gaff as are tuna. Dorado on the other hand can ge a huge pain as they have a knack for jumping off the gaff. For dodo's I like to always come over the head even if it's close and stick them in the head. Anywhere else and they have a better chance of jumping off the gaff.

[chazdaddy]

I always gaff with the point facing down not up. In my experience this will lessen the chance of the fishing bouncing off, all this is while I use a steady pull type of motion instead of a short quick jerk. I also get my gaff's sharpened every year and when I buy a new one as well. I know I won't find many people that agree on this, but I dont exclusively shoot for the head either. If the fish is docile at the boat, then I go for the head. But if it is still kind of hot I go for the place I think is the biggest target. I think everyone has had a fish knocked off at one point or another while some one was going for a head shot. I have done it to people and had it happen to me. Just my 2 cents!

[1bigfisch]

I always go with the gaff point down ie. over the shoulder. I believe ( and have been told by some with WAY more experience than me) that this is the surest way to hit your target. I also pull towards the boat as I strike, not jerk. The pull should be fairly swift and constant. If youre gaffing a deep fish, I still go with the over the shoulder shot, but now I'm pulling upwards in one smooth movement, hand over hand with a long gaff, until the fish is on the surface. I usually pause for a moment, brace myself, and the haul aboard and into the box.

This is all under the assumption I actually catch a fish, you understand.

[Mo Betta]

I usually swing a few times to add to the drama Then I just do what Marcus posted above.

[bassspotter]

Swing out on the head for tuna. And don't miss. Especially with all the pro's that fish around here! I started netting dodo's last year, didn't lose one. They laid right in the net. Someone else here suggested it last year, best dodo advice I had all season.

[midnightrambler]

dart em with a spear

[Captain Curt]

I swing on 30 pound Yellow Fin Tuna and bounce them into the air....huh Kevan.

Curtis..........

The boat Hanna.........

[TurdRoller]

over the the fish and drag it into them. the yellows that are just a bit too big to bounce are easier to stick if you dig for them when they are about 1 foot or so under the surface....i would not recommend digging deep on big fish, had a 40lb albie torque my wrsit pretty bad once.

you can also dig a foot or so deep for a fussy dodo. thats the best advice i can give without tooting my own horn. i have gaffed a couple of fish before.


oh yeah, hold onto the gaff too

[Jason]

I try to bounce all fish.